The trial of suspected ritualist, Ifeanyi Dike, at the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, was yesterday January 12th, stalled after Ifeanyi collapsed during the trial. Dike was arraigned before Justice Adolphus Enebeli after he allegedly paring and murdering his eight-year-old cousin, Chikamso Favour, and harvesting her genitals with the intent of using it for money rituals in August 2017. Ifeanyi was apprehended while trying to dispose of her body.
A mild drama ensued in court yestyerday when Ifeanyi gave a loud shout and slumped immediately
his case was called for hearing. His lawyer, Lizinna Ameegua, appealed to the court to order a mental examination be carried out on him to ascertain his mental status but the judge declined the request.
Dike consequently collapsed while the court entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ for him.
Also arraigned during the trial were were Ogochukwu Nnamiro (the second accused person) and Sergeant Johnbosco Okoroeze, the police officer that was on duty when Ifeanyi absconded from police custody and was rearrested in Jos. The co-accused persons also pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
Justice Enebeli then adjourned the matter till January 16, 26 and 29, 2018 for definite hearing.
The judge also noted said that the matter would be heard on a day-to-day basis.
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